On Election Day, California voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot proposition which would have reversed the state’s 24-year ban on affirmative action programs that use race or gender to decide who deserves a leg up in public employment, contracting and college admissions. Fewer than 44 percent of voters in the state voted to approve Prop. 16...
San Jose considers gas ban for new commercial buildings
In its next phase toward a gas-free future, San Jose will soon consider whether to require all new commercial buildings to be powered entirely by electricity. “We need to move all of our energy to renewable energy,” said Kerrie Romanow, San Jose’s chief sustainability officer. “We want to stop the problem.” Expanding the gas prohibition...
Amid deep political divides, how can the nation move forward?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For just a few minutes on Saturday night, the massive crowd celebrating the election results at Black Lives Matter Plaza quieted down and turned their attention to the loudspeakers in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Joe Biden was addressing the nation for the first time as the president-elect. “It’s time to...
South Bay groups lobby governor on Harris Senate replacement
The South Bay’s Latino community as well as LGBTQ+ organizations have their eye on the Senate seat vacated by Kamala Harris — and are making sure Gov. Gavin Newsom hears them. When President-elect Joe Biden chose Harris as his running mate on Aug. 11, the Latino Community Foundation took notice. It knew if the Biden-Harris...
Diep concedes San Jose City Council race, Cohen names transition team
San Jose City Council candidate David Cohen over the weekend declared victory over Councilmember Lan Diep in the nail-biter District 4 race. Cohen on Nov. 9 also started naming his transition team, which met over the weekend to begin building a staff and preparing to take over the council office in January. The race was...
‘No intent to do harm’ in San Jose business group’s racist political ad, officials say
After an internal investigation, leaders of The Silicon Valley Organization said the posting of a racist political ad on its website was the result of a lack of communication, and held no one accountable. In releasing some results of an investigation today, The SVO named Glenn Perkins as board chair and said it is launching...
Residents debate height limits, open space near Google campus in San Jose
New apartments built near single-family homes should feature lots of green space — and better not rise too high. These were the top concerns raised by members of the Diridon Station Area Advisory Group (SAAG) Monday night, as the group discussed San Jose’s plan for the 250-acre area, as well as Google’s proposed 80-acre campus project. The...
Meet the community activist running for San Jose City Council
While the election may look like it is wrapping up, it is just beginning for LaToya Fernandez who is running for a seat on the San Jose City Council in 2022. Fernandez, 32, an educator, activist and community leader, said she intends to bring equity and representation to District 3. She would replace Councilmember Raul...
San Jose City Council: How will the property transfer tax increase be spent?
Eight months after voters approved Measure E — a property transfer tax increase— the city will decide how to spend the money intended for affordable housing projects and homelessness prevention services. Under the plan coming to the City Council Nov. 10, councilmembers propose using the $30 million in tax revenue to create new properties for...
Silicon Valley reacts to Joe Biden winning presidency
After winning Nevada and Pennsylvania four days after the election, Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump on Saturday and will become the 46th president of the United States with Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice President, by his side. With victories in those two states, the former Vice President under Barack Obama harnessed a total...